Without wins at the first two rounds of the Vans Triple Crown of Supercross, newly re-crowned AMA/EA Sports Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath had no hope of taking home the $500,000 money being offered. But the Chaparral/Mazda Yamaha rider could play the spoiler at the final round in Las Vegas, preventing Frenchman David Vuillemin from garnering the half-million bucks.
McGrath, who last week in Joliet sewed up his seventh Supercross title, won yet again tonight at the series finale, thereby eliminating the possibility of Team Yamaha’s Vuillemin – the second-winningest rider this season – one-upping him in the cash-flow department. Vuillemin, who had won the first two Vans rounds in Phoenix, Arizona, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, just didn’t have it in Vegas. He claimed not to be overly concerned about the prize money on the line, but the increase in outside attention did have an effect. Vuillemin appeared to struggle on the slippery Vegas soil, losing the back end on several occasions as he accelerated out of turns. After completing lap one in sixth place, he appeared to have a chance at charging his way to the front, but a couple of mistakes (including being pushed wide, and off the track by Mike LaRocco) threw him off his rhythm. Vuillemin eventually finished fourth.
Much of the race was led by Team Honda’s Kevin Windham, whose strong early riding gave hopes to those who had put long-odds money on him. Lappers slowed him, however, allowing McGrath to close in, and the champ used the crowd’s energy to take the lead on lap 17, and then the win. Windham then fell victim to Competition Accessories/Amsoil/Jack in the Box/Factory Connection Honda’s LaRocco, who had yet another consistent ride for runner-up honors.
Results
1. Jeremy McGrath (Yam)
2. Mike LaRocco (Hon)
3. Kevin Windham (Hon)
4. David Vuillemin (Yam)
5. Ricky Carmichael (Kaw)
6. Sebastien Tortelli (Hon)
7. Damon Huffman (Suz)
8. Heath Voss (Hon)
9. Larry Ward (Kaw)
10. Jason Thomas (Yam)
